Spider Identification

What are spiders?

Spiders are arachnids that typically live outside in our yards and gardens; unfortunately, they don't always stay where they belong. Spiders are a common pest problem inside of our homes. These creatures have two body parts, eight legs, and lack both wings and antennae.

There are many species of spiders that make themselves at home in our Northern California yards and houses, including the following:

• Black widow spiders
• Brown widow spiders
• Daddy long legs
• Orb weave spiders
• Wolf spiders
• Yellow sac spiders

Are spiders dangerous?

Though spiders are successful predators, they are actually shy, reclusive creatures by nature. Spiders can bite people but would much rather just move out of our way. Spider bites are typically accidental and usually only occur when a spider feels directly threatened. While being bitten by a spider isn't ideal, it usually isn't a big deal because most spiders living in our yards and homes are harmless. All spiders possess venom, but only a select few have venom strong enough to trigger health problems in people.

In our area, the black widow spider is the species that causes the most concern. They have venom that is strong enough to produce health problems in people. While their bites aren't deadly, they do cause symptoms that a health professional should manage.

Why do I have a spider problem?

Spiders live outside in most outdoor spaces, including our yards. Their presence isn't always unwanted, as their predatory nature helps control the number of nuisance and dangerous insects living around us. However, when these pests develop large populations in our yards or decide to move into our homes, they turn into problematic pests.

The most common reason for a spider infestation in a home is that they have following their prey inside. Spiders don't typically move indoors to escape harsh weather, but they do move inside following their prey. In Northern California, it is common to see an influx of spider activity inside your home during the winter months. In the winter, many species of insects move indoors, and hungry spiders follow them. Once inside, if there is plenty of food for the spiders to consume, you will be hard-pressed to eliminate them.

Where will I find spiders?

Outside, spiders live in our gardens, flower beds, on our home's exterior, and in outbuildings like garages and sheds. Those spiders that find a way into our homes will move to quiet areas that offer prey to hunt. Attics, basements, wall voids, kitchens, and bathrooms often host insects and the spiders that feed on them.

Some of a spider's favorite place to build webs or to hide include the following:

• Corners of rooms
• Above cabinets
• Around windows
• Under furniture and beds
• In closets
• Around light fixtures
• On potted plants

How do I get rid of spiders?

Spiders are tricky to control and eliminate. The best way to get rid of these leggy critters away from your Northern California home is to partner with a professional. At Redding Spray Service, we provide our technicians with extensive training and use advanced materials and effective treatments to ensure that each of our customer's pest problems are solved and won't return.

Delivering affordable solutions for pest-free living is our top priority! Serving the North State in Shasta and Tehama Counties, we are committed to helping home and business owners protect their properties from annoying and potentially dangerous spiders and other structural-invading pests. To begin protecting your property from unwanted spiders, reach out to Redding Spray Service today and discover all that our residential or commercial pest control services have to offer.

How can I prevent spiders in the future?

Let's work together to prevent spiders from taking over your yard and home in the future. In combination with our pest control services, the following prevention tips will help you avoid a spider infestation.

• To avoid spider bites, always shake out bedding before getting into your bed, shake out shoes and clothing before putting them on, and always wear gloves when working in gardens or rummaging through storage boxes.
• Keep outdoor lights off as much as possible to avoid attracting insects and spiders to the outside of your home.
• Eliminate clutter both inside and outside of your home that could be hiding unwanted spiders.
• Use caulk to repair cracks in your home's foundation and exterior walls to keep both insects and hunting spiders out of your home.
• Repair roof damage and keep caps on chimneys.
• Remove fallen trees, tree stumps, and debris from your yard.
• Repair leaky pipes, clogged gutters, and drippy hoses that could provide spiders and insects with a source of water.

Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control solutions.